Pet Care World
The advice on this page is given in good faith either by professionals or by those with long experience of animal welfare. However, it is only meant to point you in the right direction. There is no substitute for taking your pet along to see a good Vet
Dealing with Ticks
Denise Whitehair gives some advice about ticks
We all welcome the nicer weather that this time of year brings but along with the warmth comes your pet's silent enemy ,the tick ( garrapata ) which can transmit serious disease.
These parasites hide out in plants and grasses waiting to be attracted by the movement and warmth of their host – your pet. They then climb on, attach their mouth parts into the skin, typically in crevices or areas with little or no hair such as around the ears, in skin folds and between the toes etc.
Once firmly attached they start their "meal", not detaching until their body is grey and swollen with blood; this can take several hours or even days depending on the type of tick.
Symptoms of most tick borne diseases include a fever and lethargy or even lameness, swollen joints and/or anaemia, or "tick paralysis". If your pet shows any of these signs of illness veterinary treatment is essential so that correct treatment is started immediately.
Check your pet daily and if you find a tick, use tweezers or a tick removal too; get as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull the tick straight out without twisting, trying to be sure the head is not left in the skin.
Tick prevention is easily achieved with topical products such as Frontline or a tick collar, all of which are readily available but please make sure you only use a product specifically for a dog or cat, whichever you are treating, as many dog medications are highly toxic to cats.
Choosing a Kennel or Cattery
Denise gives advice about selecting a boarding kennel or cattery.
When you leave your pet in kennels do check he is safe, secure and well cared for in a professionally run, licensed kennel. There are a number of people offering cut-price "Boarding", some in their own home, but remember that the high levels of hygiene observed in a professional facility are unlikely to be met. And just because people say they have" had dogs all their lives" does not make them competent to care for your treasured pet as they would have had no training in animal husbandry or basic veterinary nursing.
Spanish (and UK) law require that kennels or establishments where animals are kept for payment are inspected by government vets each year to obtain a licence. If the place you board your pet does not have this licence displayed together with a complaints book (as every business is required to have) they are trading illegally and your pet may be at risk.
During an inspection the whole premises are checked for cleanliness and security – this includes the animal accommodation, food preparation area, quarantine area and exercise areas, the required paperwork taken from the pets owner is also inspected. It is very important for you to visit the kennel you are thinking of leaving your pet in, without having to make an appointment, (anywhere can be made to look good for a short time each day!)
Be sure it does not smell, that your pet's accommodation and run is large enough for its size,that it is light and airy and that they and the surrounding areas are clean and tidy. Also, be sure there are no "behind the scenes" areas where you are not allowed to inspect. There should also be large secure areas to allow your dog free running exercise each day without having to mix with other dogs. The dogs should be at the front of their runs looking happy and maybe barking for your attention, a dog cowering at the back is not a good sign.
The Cattery should be in a peaceful area some way away from the kennel area so that the dogs do not bother the cats. Each cat should have its own sleeping area and good size run and NEVER be mixed with a strange cat. A good cattery will also have sneeze barriers between each cattery house. The staff should always be friendly towards you and the animals in their care and be willing to answer all your questions. Don't forget you have a big responsibility to your cat or dog as you are putting their happiness and well being in someone elseīs hands.
The kennels should always ask to see proof of your pet's vaccinations. If they don't they are taking risks with your pet's health by allowing un-vaccinated animals onto the premises. If you are not 110% happy with what you see and hear, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE – be safe not sorry.
Denise runs Cat and Dog World Kennels and Cattery, Alhaurin El Grande, and can be contacted on 952112978
Changes in the law with regard to raising puppies
Did you know that each puppy you have must now by law be:
wormed at 4-5 weeks,
have its 1st vaccination at 6-8 weeks,
2nd vaccination at 10 weeks,
2nd worming at 11 weeks,
3rd vaccination and rabies at 12 weeks,
microchip and registration at 12 weeks,
passport at 12 weeks and 2nd rabies at 16 weeks.
This costs a grand total of 120 euros per dog and our hard pressed animal refuge now has to follow this procedure for each puppy they take in at a time when pressure on funds is enormous.
As just one example, these puppies, six in all, were brought into SOS looking for a home and CHAIN have borne the costs – and all because the English owner of their mother didnīt bother to have the dog neutered. He brought the puppies to the refuge and left a bag of biscuits.
So please – have your dog neutered if you are not prepared to accept the consequences. It's not fair to pass on the buck to others.
